This unexpected order was not understood Know by all of his captains , and as a result his attack was more piecemeal than he intended .

Units were committed Commitment piecemeal , attacks Attack were frontal , infantry failed to protect Defending exposed Reveal_secret artillery , tactical intelligence was minimal , and neither commander was able to employ Employment his whole force effectively .

Bragg attempted to continue the assault Attack with the division of Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge , but the troops were slow in arriving Arriving and their multiple piecemeal attacks Attack failed .